Trinity Health Oakland Leads Nation, Deploys Advanced Augmented Reality Technology for Total Knee Replacement Surgery

PONTIAC, Mich. (May 15, 2025) – Trinity Health Oakland is the first hospital in the United States to complete a total knee replacement surgery using enhanced augmented reality capabilities inside the operating room. The pioneering procedure was performed by Safa Kassab, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, further strengthening Trinity Health Oakland's reputation as a surgical leader in the region.

“I’ve completed more than 10,000 knee replacements in my career, and I can say without question that augmented reality provides me with a transformative level of clarity and precision,” said Dr. Kassab. “This innovative technology allows me to safely navigate around critical anatomical structures and align the patient’s joint within less than one degree of perfection. This level of accuracy is simply unattainable with a human’s eyes and hands. It elevates my capability, delivering a more accurate, hopefully longer lasting knee for my patients."

Pixee Medical's Knee+ NexSight platform, which received FDA approval in April 2025, offers accuracy and reliability comparable to robot-assisted surgical systems. During the operation, the surgeon wears a headset that enhances real-time decision-making, allowing for the precise positioning of knee implants tailored to each patient's unique anatomy.
Dr. Kassab is a recognized leader in the field of augmented reality for knee replacement and has unparalleled experience, having successfully performed more than 1,000 augmented reality guided procedures using Knee+ technology, the predecessor to Pixee Medical's Knee+ NexSight technology.

Deployment of new augmented reality surgical capabilities comes amid significant investment and expansion of Trinity Health Michigan’s surgical program. The health system recently announced the acquisition of "da Vinci 5" robots at Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Chelsea Hospital, and a "da Vinci Xi" robot at Trinity Health Livonia, further strengthening its standing as home to one of the most comprehensive robotic surgery programs in southeast Michigan.